What We Do
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) serves as the United States' financial intelligence unit and regulator for financial crime prevention. We operate at the intersection of data, law enforcement, regulation, and international collaboration to ensure the safety and integrity of the financial system.
Collecting and Analyzing Financial Data
FinCEN collects financial reports submitted by banks and other financial institutions as required under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA). These include Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs), Currency Transaction Reports (CTRs), and other BSA filings. This data is analyzed to identify trends and suspicious patterns that indicate potential criminal activity such as money laundering, terrorism financing, or large-scale fraud.
Supporting Law Enforcement and Intelligence Agencies
We provide direct support to law enforcement and national security agencies by supplying intelligence derived from financial transaction data. FinCEN’s tools and expertise help investigators trace illegal financial activity and build cases against individuals and networks engaged in crimes ranging from narcotics trafficking to organized fraud.
Enforcing Compliance with Federal Regulations
FinCEN drafts and enforces regulations that require financial institutions to implement anti-money laundering (AML) programs and report specific types of transactions. We work with federal and state regulators to ensure institutions comply with these laws and take corrective action when violations occur.
Enhancing Transparency Through Beneficial Ownership and Registration
To combat the misuse of legal entities for illicit purposes, FinCEN enforces reporting requirements for beneficial ownership information. This initiative helps identify the individuals who truly control companies and shell entities, closing loopholes that have historically been used for money laundering or evading sanctions.
Facilitating International Cooperation
As the U.S. representative to the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units, FinCEN collaborates with counterparts in over 100 countries. We share intelligence, build regulatory alignment, and participate in coordinated efforts to dismantle global financial crime networks.
Expanding Consumer Protection Against Identity Theft
Recognizing the growing threat of identity theft, FinCEN now operates a secure outreach program to alert U.S. citizens and residents whose personal data has appeared in confirmed exposure lists. Individuals are contacted directly and invited to:
- View their leaked personal information through a secure access portal
- Register for email-based support using a unique User ID and password
- Receive access credentials via email within 24 hours
- Take protective steps without the need for phone-based communication
This initiative allows individuals to understand the nature of their exposure, receive verified assistance, and take early action against fraud or impersonation. FinCEN’s goal is to disrupt identity theft before it escalates into financial loss.
Driving Policy and Research
FinCEN also contributes to shaping U.S. financial policy by conducting strategic research, releasing public advisories, issuing enforcement actions, and proposing regulations. Our insights inform both regulatory changes and private sector risk management practices across the financial ecosystem.
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